Apparatus for field-filling high-pressure dispensers



y 1950 A. BROTHMAN 2,508,142

APPARATUS FOR FIELD-FILLING HIGH-PRESSURE DISPENSERS Filed July 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 l 2 6/ 56 Fgtl.

46 48 52 all 34 INVENTOR. Abraham Brofhman May 16, 1950 A. BROTHMAN 2,508,142

APPARATUS FOR FIELD-FILLING HIGHJRESSURE DISPENSERS Filed July 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Abraham Drofhmdn Patented May 16, 1950 APPARATUS Foa FIELD-mama HIGH-PRESSURE DISPENSERS Abraham Brothman, Long Island City, Y., as-

signor to A. Brothman #Associatea, New York,

N. Y., a partnership Application July 2a, 1045, Serial No. 601,600

'2 Claims. (01. 62-1) My invention relates to the filling of aerosol insecticide dispensers and more particularly to a readily portable apparatus for the filling of such dispensers in the field.

An insecticide dispenser bomb now used for killing insects carrying malaria and other diseases is used very extensively by the armed forces in combat areas. These insecticide bombs" or dispensers comprise a grenade-like case provided with a valve means by which the insecticide may be released by the mere pressure of the operator's thumb. The dispensers are filled with a volatile solution containing a pesticide as a main ingredient, a stabilizing agent and an expellent. As an example, such a solution used as an insecticide contains a small proportion of pyrethrum extract, some mineral or other oil and Freon-12 (CC12F2). The expellent may be stored gas under pressure or a low boiling point liquid which is miscible with the main or active ingredient. In the dispenser the expellent acts to force the solution of the main ingredient up a standpipe to the dispenser valve and across an orifice at which the solution is atomized. Freon-12 has been found to be one of the most emcient of the low boiling liquids for this purpose, since it combines the property of being miscible with a wide range of other organic solvents, a high solvent power for organic materials and a high vapor pressure at comparatively low temperatures. The main or active ingredient may be an insecticide, a fungicide, a germicide, a plant hormone or any other material one may wish to atomize. It may be a liquid or in solution in a liquid which is miscible with a liquid expellent. The stabilizing agent may be any suitable material which functions to stabilize theemulsion or fog formed between the atomized material and the atmosphere in which it is distributed by the dispenser.

The efiectiveness of these aerosol dispensers may be illustrated by the report that a dispenser containing one pound of the insecticide solution will produce enough fog to kill all the mosquitoes in ten rooms, ten feet high and ten feet square, every day for fifty days. The fog or mist penetrates everywhere that smoke would penetrate. but is harmless to man and other warm-blooded animals.

At the present time these insecticide dispensers, mostly containing one pound of insecticide solution, are distributed to the armed forces in combat areas without any attempt at refilling, although most of the weight of a filled dispenser is tied up in the weight of the metal necessary to withstand the pressures involved. It is apparent, therefore, that the distribution of millions of these units to the far-flung combat areas for one use only, means the transportation of large quantities of metal in perfectly good dispensers whichare not reused. The amount of shipping for this one use is no small item aside from the initial cost of manufacture, although the insecticide and dispensers constitute an important and necessary part of the equipment for the military forces. The same considerations apply to the civilian distribution and use of aerosol dispensers.

The primary object therefore of my invention is to provide a portable apparatus which may be readily shipped and operated in a combat area or other suitable location for refilling these aero-'- sol dispensers after their original charge has been dispensed. Such an apparatus may be located at gasoline stations, hardware stores, or other suitable places.

A further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for filling aerosol bombs in the field and which may be readily handled, assembled and operated by one or two persons.

An important feature of my invention is the provision of a knock-down apparatus assembly that can be compactly crated in easily-handled crates, and that can be assembled and dismantled by one man. It is proposed that this refilling apparatus be shipped to combat areas or other locations and that the aerosol mixture be shipped in large cylinders, 'for example, in the standard nitrogen cylinder which weighs approximately 127 pounds empty, and which will hold about pounds of the aerosol charge mixture, sufllcient to fill about 100 of the According to my invention the portable apparatus comprises a framework or mounting for the large cylinder or master container of aerosol solution, a mounting for an aerosol dispenser adapted to seal it in a position for refilling, a pair of altemately-operative measuring cylinders connected into a four-way valve, a connecting line leading from. the lower portion of the master container to the four-way valve, and a line leading from the four-way valve to the dispenser-filling connection. A "Freon" aerosol solution, such as that described, will have a pressure of about 200 poundsper square inch or more, absolute, depending upon the temperature, for example about 236 pounds at 1". The master container holding this solution, however, is preferably pressured with a gas such as nitrogen which provides a source of motive power This dispenser is now filled by reversing the position of the four-way valve so that aerosol solution is supplied to the empty cylinder from which the piston in the filled cylinder is operated to force the solution therein into the dispenser.

In this manner the nitrogen pressure in the master container is utilized, with any necessary repressuring with nitrogen, until the solution therein has been exhausted, after which a new container of the aerosol solution is mounted in the apparatus, pressured with nitrogen and con nected up to continue the filling operations.

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing an also preferably includes end lugs 21 which engage the outside of the channel members 2|.

The improved apparatus includes a replaceable master container ll initially filled with the aerosol solution to be used'in filling the dispensers. The master containers, containing the desired quantity of solution, are preferably shipped to their point of use at the normal pressure of the aerosol solution which in the example given is about 60 pounds per square inch at 80' I. At the point of use the containers are preferably pressured with a gas such as nitrogen, which may be shipped in the usual nitrogen containers, so that an operating partial pressure of nitrogen of about 200 pounds or more per square inch is available for forcing the aerosol solution from the containers into the dispensers. Since the nitrogen in the master container expands as the liquid level therein falls during the filling operation, the partial pressure of nitrogen will began at some maximum value, 500 pounds per square inch gage.

apparatus assembly constructed and assembled in accordance with a preferred form of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of a portion of the frame for mounting the filling equipment.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing in dia- I grammatic manner the structure and arrangement of the four-way valve.

Fig. 4 is a large detailed view partly in broken section showing in a diagrammatic manner the structure of the filling connection and related: parts of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal view partly in broken section of the cylinder-grab mechanism for mounting the master container.

A preferred form of apparatus for carrying out the filling of aerosol dispensers in accordance with my invention is shown in Fig. 1, in which the apparatus elements are mounted on a knocka down frame which comprises a pair of A-frames II and I2, shown in side view in Pig. 2, and connected together front and back by means of bottom braces H. The frame also includes a filling stand I i attached to the side of the A-frame II by means of keys or other fastenings not shown. Each of the A-frames II and I2 is made primarily of channel iron members out and assembled in the manner shown in Fig, 2. Each A-frame comprises a lower channel member' I. having bentup ends which fit in front and back channel members. the latter being attached together at the top in spaced relation by'a channel member: 2 held in place by keys II. The lower portions of the ,channel members ll are provided with welded-in webs 24 for retaining the bent-up pro- Jections of the bottom member ll. Each of the A-frames is provided with cross-braces II attached at their lower ends to the members II by loose rivets so that they may be folded with their respective side members 2|. The free ends of the cross braces II are attached to the opposite member by means of pins. The bottom braces ll comprise an angle iron welded to end gusset plates which are in turn keyed to the back and front of the A-frames II and II by hooks ll set in and and will decrease to some minimmn value which depends upon the resistance to be overcome in the interactuated measuring cylinders. It will usually be necessary therefore to re-pressure the master cylinder several times with nitrogen beziore it is exhausted of its charge of aerosol solu- The master container 20, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted in a rotatable grab mechanism I. supported by the A-frames II and II. The

. mounting for the grab mechanism 8. includes a rotatable trunnion I! and a stationary trunnion 34 mounted in pillow blocks attached on top of the A-frames ll and II. The trunnion I4 is rotatable in a sleeve I attached to the grab mechanism. InI'ig. 5 thesrabdeviceisshownmore in detail, and includesa steel back band 30 and apairofpivotedarmsllwhicharetobe drawn up tightly around the cylinder II by means of a swing bolt, as shown. The back band 38 and the arms 38 are lined with brake lining 40 to aid in obtaining a secure hold on the cylinder 2|. The trunnion 32 is mounted in a fixed position in a sleeve 42 on which is fixed a disk wheel 44 provided with holes at 180' with respect to each other and in vertical alignment with respect to the cylinder II. The wheel 44 is used in connection with a stop-pin device ll mounted on a plate II which is welded to member 22. The deder II is thereupon rotated on the trimniom Ii 00 and as, through 180'. As the cylinder II reaches 'lockedininvertedpositionreadytobeoonnected into the filling system.

The cylinder 28 is provided with the usual valved connection I from which a pipe Il, such as flexible hose or small copper tubing, leads to the upper port I! of a four-way, four-port 90' turn valve ll (Fig. I), mounted on a bracket at the top of the stand ll. The four-way valve II has an operating handle as shown in I'lg. l for turning it to the operating positions and to "oii'l' This valve may be of conventional well-known welded to the channel irons 2|. Each brace ll constru tion. In the diagrammatic showing in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the valve 56 is provided with side ports 66 and 66 which are conected respectively by pipes or tubing 6i and 62 into the upper and lower portions, respectively, of hydraulic measuring cylinders 66 and 66.. The lower port 61 of the four-way valve is connected to a member 66 comprising a filling connection. A

cross-section of the fourway valve 56 is shown in Fig. 3 in which the plug 16, rotated by a hand wheel shown in Fig. 1, is provided with passageways I! and 16 for simultaneously making two alternate connections.

The hydraulic measuring cylinders 64 and 66 gether, the heads in turn being fastened by bolts or other suitable means, not shown, to channel brackets I6 which are welded 'upon the filling The cylinders 66 and 66 are in spaced 26. Both of the cylinders 66 and 66 are'prefer- 'may be of any suitable design but are shown'as being mounted in square cylinder heads bolted toably provided with the usual reduced orifice-type oi cushioning device to prevent end-of-stroke banging. Both cylinders are single-acting, and therefore the maintenance of stufling boxes is avoided. Each cylinder is provided with a thermometer 66 for indicating the temperature of the.

aerosol solution therein. The volume of charge in the cylinders 66 and 66 is adjustable and is determined by the volume swept by the pistons therein. The adjustment of the'charge is made by means of a calibrated vernier 66 attached to of the inter-cylinder shaft and preferably carries.

the same figures as the thermometers 66. The adjustment is made by the operator by turning the vernier .until the figure on the vernier opposite the arrow on the flange 62 is the same as the III, a rather wide fiat-topped valve screw cap or wheel I62, through which a spray-head seat I66 projects, and with an inside standpipe I65. As the dispenser is forced up against the filling member 66 by the cam 66, the projection I66 extends into a gasket I66 preferably of neoprene .which is press-fitted into the teat end of the .ternal conical section of a shouldered grab I66 which is keyed to the member 66 by a key III;

and forced down by means of a spring III which bears against a collar 6 set on the member 66. A dispenser is-prepared for filling by dropping it in the cup 66, which is designed to fit the dispens'er with relatively small clearance. ent cup may befused for a dispenser of different design. The lever 66 is then forced up so that the dispenser valve is jammed against the teat asket I66 with a very high sealing load so that a tight connection between the dispenser valve and 'the filling member 66 is made.' The dispenser valve is then opened by merely twisting the dispenser body in the cup 66 since the valve screw wheel I62 is held from turning by the grab I66. After the dispenser has been filled, its valve is closed by again twisting the dispenser body in the cup 66 while the valve wheel is held by the grab I66. The dispenser is then disconnected by lowering the lever 66.

The operation of the apparatus of the presen invention for filling aerosol dispensers in the field is verysimple and may be readily carried out by one man. After the apparatus is assembled, the master cylinder pressured, mounted in the grab 66, connected up as shown in Fig. 1 and the cylinder 66 filled, the operator commences the filling of the dispenser by dropping it in the cup 66.

' raising the lever 66 until the stop on the cam figure on the thermometer dials indicating the temperature of the aerosol mixture in the cylinders. The calibrations can be made indegrees Fahrenheit or numbers fromaero to 10, if 'des red. Thus with the vunit calibrated. the problem of obtaining the correct weight of fill in each.

dispenser is resolved into a mere setting of the vernier 66 to, obtain the proper displacement stroke. If the cylinders 66 and 66 have an internal diameter of three inches, the length of the stroke of the pistons therein is made-adjustable between about 3 and 3.4 inches in order to fill each dispenser with one pound of the solution.

The dispenser stand I6, which has a bottom bracket, also includes means for holding a dispenser 66 and for forcing it into contact with the filling member 66. This means includes a cam' 66 pivoted on a bracket 62 which is welded tothe stand I6. The cam 66 is provided with a hand lever 66. The dispenser 66 is inserted in a cup 66 on top of a spring therein, the cup being mounted on the top of a cam rider 66 adjustable with respect to the cup 66. The cam rider assembly is mounted in guide bearings I06 attached to the dispenser stand I6, so that the operation of the cam 66 moves the rider assembly up to jam the dispenser into contact with the filling member 66.

The structure and arrangement of the filling member 66 in connection with the disperiser 66 is shown in Fig; 4. In this view it will be seen that the dispenser 66 is provided with a .valve 66 engages the rider 66. The body of the dispenser 66 is then turned to open the dispenser valve, after which the foureway' valve 56 is operated by the hand wheel shown in Fig. 1, for example, to supply solution from the filled cylinder 66 to the dispenser 66. As the valve 66 is turned to eiiect this step, it is operated to connect the line 62 with the valve outlet 61 and the filling member 66 connected thereto, so as to permit solution to flow from the cylinder 66 to the dispenser 66. When the valve 66 is turned to this position the pressure in the master cylinder 66 forces solution through the four-way valve 66 and line 6I into the upper portion of cylinder 1orcing the piston therein down, which also moves the solution from the cylinder 66 into the dispenser.

used. TheIinesI6JIand66maybepI-oflied tion when changing master containers.

Amodifiedformottheapparatmlhownin r 7 Fig. lmaybemediithemastercylinderltis provided with a down pipe or standpipe inside so that the cylinder can be used in unrlsht position. In a master cylinder so modified, the grab mechanism and framework could be eliminated, and themastercyiindermerelystoodupright onthe groundaiongsideofthefillingstandandthen connected into the tour-way valve. This would ellminateanumberoipartsandinsomeinstances provide for an easier operation as well as reduce the cost oi the field filling apparatus. The hydraulic measuring cylinder assembly may be mounted in a horiaontal or other position, it desired, and on a-difierent type of filling stand or associated mounting.

The apparatus of the present invention ma be modifiedinvariouswayssothataminimumoi parts will be required ior successfully refilling the aerosol dispensers in a combat area or other locality. Other apparatus elements may be desirably med where available. For example, a smallpumpmaybeusedinthelineflinstead of having the master cylinder pressured with nitrogen or other gas, but'this may depend upon the availabiity 01' some source of power for operating the pump. Likewise flow-control means other than the four-way valve Il may be used ior directing the fiow oi the aerosol solution in the apparatus. Individual'valves in the lines II, I, 91 and I could-be used for this purpose. However, the tour-way valve is simple and eiiective and is thereiore preferred, Various other modifications may be made in the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope oi the present invention Having described the invention in its preferred iormmmtisciaimedasnewisz 1. An apparatus for filling aerosol dispensers from a master container with an aerosol solution under high pressure, in which the pressure of a compressed medium in the master container is used as a motive iorceior filling the bombs, comprising a master container of the solution mounted in a rotatable grab on a pair of A-i'rames, a pair 0! hydraulic measuring cylinders mounted onafillingstand attachedtooneoi'saidA-i'rames,

said cylinders being arranged end to end in spaced relation with respect to each other, a piston in each cylinder, a piston rod adjustable as to length connecting the pktom tor simultaneous movement, means for conducting solution from the lower portion oi said container to the remote ends oisaidcylinderaaciampingmeansonsaidfilling a stand for holding a small valved dispenser in'a filling positim ineontaet with a filling connec-- .tion, said connection including a grab for the valve of the dispensenmeallior conducting solution from the remote ends of said cylinders to said filling connection, and control means for supplying solution from said master container alternately to the remote ends of said hydraulic cylinders and iorsupplying solution from said cylinders alternately to said filling connection.

2. Anapparatus i'orfillingaerosoldispensersin the field with an aerosol solution under high pressure, comprising a means for supplying the solutionatahishpremiraapairoihydraulic measuringcylindersmountedonairameendto end in spaced relation with respect to each other, a piston in each cylinder, a piston rod connecting the pistons for simultaneous movement in said cylinders, the portion of the lston rod between the cylinders including means for varying the length oi'the pistonrodiorinturnvaryingthe capacity oi the measuring cylinders, a fiow-control means mounted on the frame, means for conducting solution from the supply means to said fiow-control means, separate means for conducting solution from said control means to the remote end of each 01' said cylinders, means on said frame ior'holding a small dispemer in a filling position in contact with a filling connection, mean for conducting solution from said nowcontrol mean to said filling connection, said nowcontrol means being adapted to direct solution from said supply means alternately to the remote endsotsaidhydrauliecylindersandtosimultaneously direct solution i'rom said hydraulic cylinders altermtely to said filling connection.

assurances crrnn The following reierences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

